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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

Published in:

01-04-2015 | Original Article

The mental health of asbestos-exposed subjects with pleural abnormalities

Authors: Peter Franklin, Monique Robinson, Patrick Abaogye-Sarfo, Latha Samuel, Nola Olsen, Rob Mina, A. W. Musk, Alison Reid

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 3/2015

Abstract

Purpose

To examine the effect of knowledge of radiographic abnormalities on the mental health of asbestos-exposed people with and without pleural abnormalities.

Methods

Subjects were former asbestos mine and mill workers and residents of the mining town who had participated in an annual health review program. Pleural abnormalities (pleural plaques, diffuse pleural thickening and asbestosis) were determined from plain chest X-rays. All Participants completed a questionnaire on mental health status (SF-12) and locus of control (LOC).

Results

There were no significant differences between asbestos-exposed people with and without radiographic abnormalities for either the SF-12 mental health score or LOC. However, the asbestos-exposed cohorts had lower mental health scores compared with a random sample of the local population.

Conclusion

The presence of pleural abnormalities did not further affect the mental health of asbestos-exposed people beyond a decrement associated with exposure per se.

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Title: The mental health of asbestos-exposed subjects with pleural abnormalities
Authors: Peter Franklin
Monique Robinson
Patrick Abaogye-Sarfo
Latha Samuel
Nola Olsen
Rob Mina
A. W. Musk
Alison Reid
Publication date: 01-04-2015
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 3/2015
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-014-0960-7

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Springer Medicine

The mental health of asbestos-exposed subjects with pleural abnormalities

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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